8 The days passed so quickly at Les Buissonnets! When Thérèse was ten, Pauline decided to enter Carmel* to become a nun. “I want to go, too!” Thérèse said to her. “You’re too young!” replied her sister. “In the meantime, you can come and visit me.” Thérèse burst into sobs. She had already lost her mama, and now here was Pauline about to leave her as well! She was so unhappy she fell gravely ill. She seemed to lose her senses. She did not recognize anyone anymore. The doctor was very worried. “Let’s pray”, Marie suggested to her sisters. “The Blessed Virgin will console us.” And they knelt down before the big statue of the Virgin Mary near Thérèse’s bed. And on the day of Pentecost, a miracle happened: Thérèse smiled and began to speak again! That evening, Marie plied Thérèse with questions: “Thérèse, tell me what happened!” “The Blessed Virgin was so beautiful,” answered Thérèse, “more beautiful than anything I’ve ever seen before. Her face radiated such indescribable goodness and tenderness; but what went right to the depths of my soul was her ravishing smile.” *Carmel refers to a Carmelite convent
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